Lavendula plant named ‘Larkman Hazel’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Lavendula hybrida  cultivar named ‘LARKMAN HAZEL’ is disclosed, characterized by exceptionally dark violet-purple flowers, profuse Spring blooming followed by moderate Fall re-blooming. Moderate growth habit to 30 cm in height, producing compact plants that resist breaking apart with age. The new variety is a  Lavendula  hybrid, suitable for outdoor landscape and container use.

Latin name of the genus and species: Lavendula hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘LARKMAN HAZEL’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of a planned breeding program under thedirection of the inventor, Clive Larkman, a citizen of the Australia.The objective of the breeding program was to produce Lavendula cultivarswith large, high quality flowers. The seed parent is an unnamed,unpatented, plant of Lavendula pedunculata.The pollen parent is anunnamed plant of an unidentified Lavendula species. The new variety wasdiscovered 1996, by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting fromthat crossing, in Invercargill New Zealand.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘LARKMAN HAZEL’ by vegetativecuttings was first performed in Invercargill New Zealand and has shownthat the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced trueto type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘LARKMAN HAZEL’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘LARKMAN HAZEL’ These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘LARKMAN HAZEL’ as a new and distinctLavendula cultivar:

-   -   1. Exceptionally dark violet-purple flowers.    -   2. Heavy Spring blooming.    -   3. Moderate Fall re-blooming    -   4. Moderate growth habit to 30 cm in height.    -   5. Compact plants, resisting breaking apart with age.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LARKMAN HAZEL’ are similar to plants of theseed parent, Lavendula pedunculata in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘LARKMAN HAZEL’produce consistently dark colored flowers, whereas the parent varietyproduces flowers of inconsistent color. Additionally, the new varietyproduces flowers with more terminal floral bracts, 4 to 6 compared to 2to 3 of the seed parent. The terminal floral bracts of the new varietyare also typically much more undulating in appearance than the seedparent. Plants of the new variety are more compact, with a less opencenter than plants of the seed parent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color typicalplants of ‘LARKMAN HAZEL’ grown outdoors in British Columbia, Canada.Plants are approximately 18 months old.

The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘LARKMAN HAZEL’ plants grown outdoors inCalifornia during the Spring months. The growing temperature ranged fromapproximately 10 to 15° C. at night to 20 to 30° C. during the day.Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typicalflowering types. No chemical or photoperiodic treatments were given.

-   Botanical classification: Lavendula hybrid cultivar ‘LARKMAN HAZEL.’

PROPAGATION

-   Time to rooting: 20 days at approximately 20° C.-   Root description: Fine, well branched.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Spreading, aromatic perennial.-   Height: Approximately 30 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 75 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Branching characteristics: Moderate branching.-   Length of lateral branches: Approximately 20 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.2 cm.-   Texture of lateral branches: Rough, developing a woody texture.-   Internode length: Approximately 2 cm.-   Strength of stem: Flexible and strong.-   Color of lateral branches: Near RHS Green 136C.-   Aspect: Upright.-   Number of leaves per lateral branch: Approximately 150.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.        -   Average length.—Approximately 3.0 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Linear.        -   Apex.—Murcronate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Attachment.—Sessile.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.        -   Leaf internode length.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 141C. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 141C. Mature foliage            upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 137C. Mature foliage under            side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 137C.        -   Venation.—Type: One very prominent mid-vein, with a fine            network of much smaller veins. Venation color upper side:            Near RHS Green 138B. Venation color under side: Near RHS            Green 143D.-   Petiole: Not present.

FLOWER

-   Bloom period: Naturally blooming profusely mid Spring through    mid-Summer. Moderate reblooming in the Fall.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Form.—Small single flower in verticillasters arranged in            spikes, 5 to 7 rows of flowers. Flowers have small bracts,            and large showy terminal bracts. Florets: Corolla tube is            2-lipped. Size individual flowers: Length: Approximately            0.4 cm. Diameter: Approximately 0.2 cm. Depth: Approximately            0.2 cm.        -   Inflorescence size, excluding terminal bracts.—Length:            Approximately 3.0 cm. Width: Approximately 1.2 cm.            Coloration of individual flowers and entire spikes,            excluding terminal bracts: Immature: Near RHS Violet-Blue            93A. Mature: Near RHS Violet-Blue 93A. Fading: Near RHS            Violet-Blue 93C.-   Terminal bracts:    -   -   Quantity.—4 to 6.        -   Length.—Approximately 3.3 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.1 cm.        -   Aspect.—Undulating.        -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Apex.—Obtuse.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Duration on plant.—Approximately 6 weeks, with good color.            Persistent.        -   Color.—Upper side of immature bract: Near RHS Violet 86C.            Under side of immature bract: Near RHS Violet 86C. Upper            side of mature bract: Near RHS Violet 86B. Under side of            mature bract: Near RHS Violet 86B.-   Fragrance: Strong Lavender scent.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Peduncle length.—Approximately 7.1 cm.        -   Peduncle diameter.—Approximately 0.4 cm.        -   Aspect.—Upright.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 139C.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Androecium:    -   -   Stamens.—2 to 4.        -   Anther shape.—Linear.        -   Anther length.—Approximately 0.05 cm.        -   Anther color.—Near RHS Yellow 7A.        -   Pollen quantity.—Minimal.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    diseases or pests has been observed in this variety.-   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: Hardy perennial. Tolerates    high temperature to at least 32° C. Tolerates low temperatures to    −12° C. While specific drought tolerance has not been observed, once    plants are established very little water is necessary to maintain    plants.-   Fruit/seed production: Fruit and seed production not observed.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Lavendula plant named ‘LARKMAN HAZEL’as herein illustrated and described.